“The thaterans are an endangered Indian community of metal craftsmen that goes back to the Mughal courts of the 1800s. They are known for their hand-beaten brass vessels and religious finials and adornments on Unesco’s list for dying crafts,” she explained.
Her work borders between design and art with a unique philosophy that captures India’s cultural narrative and paradoxes.
“My creative process is inspired by India, Indian stories and craft processes, be it the market craft, the high luxury craft or the ‘jugaad’ technique that India is very well-known for. I combine all of these into my creative process to create designs that relate to the Indian vocabulary.”
Describing her works as “functional design art objects”, she said: “It’s a very common vocabulary in the West. In India, people are not so familiar with it but we are talking about very large motive where every piece of furniture is not about comfort.”
“People these days are looking to keep sculptural pieces in their living rooms as conversation artefacts. These artefacts are thought of as working (functional) artefacts,” she said.
The visual vocabulary of the designs to be exhibited has been borrowed from Mughal architecture where the dome and the arch create a symphonic communion – the distinct visual identity of Indian architecture that we are familiar with.
“Metaphorically for me, Venice represents a moment in time that is endangered much like the dying arts of India and along with it, will be gone a slice of history and beauty that is unparalleled in the world,” the designer said.
This image is embedded in ...
- Made in India designs at Venice Architecture Biennale, Saturday, May 28, 2016 - 04:50